Radon Exhalation Rate: A Metrological Approach for Radiation Protection

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiological Protection
• Geology

Background:

• Radon (Rn), a radioactive gas from natural decay, is a significant cause of lung cancer.
• Building materials can release radon, posing indoor air quality and health risks.
• Regulatory frameworks like Legislative Decree 101/2020 mandate the identification of high-risk radon-emitting materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a metrological approach for quantifying radon exhalation rates from construction materials.
• To assess the radon exhalation rate of volcanic gray tuff, a common building material in Italy.
• To support national and European radioprotection strategies and radon action plans.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an electrostatic collection chamber for alpha spectrometry.
• Measured radon isotopic decay products to determine exhalation rates.
• Focused experimental validation on volcanic gray tuff from Sant'Agata de' Goti, Italy.

Main Results:

• Successfully applied the electrostatic collection chamber method to measure radon exhalation.
• Quantified radon exhalation rates for volcanic gray tuff.
• Provided data relevant to the identification of materials with high radon emission potential.

Conclusions:

• The proposed metrological approach is effective for assessing radon exhalation from building materials.
• Findings contribute to understanding radon risks associated with volcanic gray tuff.
• This research aids in implementing radioprotection measures and fulfilling regulatory requirements.